I'm not super big into comics, but I enjoy dipping into some of the bigger titles by checking out the TPB's from the library. Even without a deep comic history to back me up, I really enjoyed Watchmen, a lot. But one thing that held it down a bit for me was that they had to use brand new characters instead of established ones that had a history to draw on. If these prequels can give those characters that weight behind them, then I think it could be a good thing.